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Introduction: A large body of literature exists on self-management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a variety of populations. However, research is limited on how Haitian immigrants self-manage their T2D despite a prevalence of 6.9% in Haiti. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the lived experience of adult Haitian immigrants managing T2D living in the United States. Methodology: Moustakas's phenomenological approach guided this qualitative study. Adult Haitian immigrants diagnosed with T2D for at least 1 year were interviewed. Individual interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, uploaded into NVivo, and analyzed using Moustakas's existential data analysis process. Results: We interviewed 16 participants (mean age 56;12 females; an average of 11 years living in the United States; mean hemoglobin A1c 8.1%). Four themes emerged: self-reliance, spirituality, nostalgia for home, and a desire for positive patient-provider relationships. Cultural influences and health beliefs may affect individual self-management of T2D in this population. Conclusions: These results may assist clinicians in identifying factors that contribute to suboptimal self-management in Haitian immigrants and help patients reach glycemic control. Culturally competent assessment and interventions for Haitian immigrants with T2D may not be provided without considering these four themes.

Purpose: This study explores the experiences and adjustment process among older Bhutanese refugees resettled in the United States and identifies their unmet health and social service needs., Design: This phenomenological study design included the conduction of nine in-depth semistructured interviews in the respondents' native language. The researchers adhered to the steps outlined by Moustakas for data analysis., Results: The five identified themes included the following: a better life but with little sorrows, cultural tensions related to adaptation, language as a barrier to success in the United States, isolation and loneliness, and worries about citizenship and its impact on the future. Discussion/Implications for Practice: Psychological adjustment to life in the United States can have profound impact on the health of Bhutanese older adults. Nurses and health care providers should integrate culturally congruent health care, raise awareness of the unique needs, and advocate for policy changes that will benefit this group of older adult refugees whose lives have frequently been upended.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of transition to self-management in sickle cell disease., Design/method: Twelve audio-recorded semistructured interviews were conducted with a sample of 21- to 25-year-olds recruited from a comprehensive sickle cell center in the northeast region of the United States. Data were analyzed using an existential framework according to van Manen's phenomenological method., Findings: The meaning of transition to self-management was found in lived time, space, body, and human relationship. The emerging themes highlighted in this article include: Best Mother Ever, Growing up in the Hospital, I'm Not Trying that Again, Doing it on My Own, Living Day-by-Day, and Not a Kid any Longer. The themes reflected meaning and insight into this unique experience., Conclusion/practice Implications: Study results emphasize the culturally constructed meaning of transition to sickle cell disease self-management and need to integrate transcultural perspectives into nursing practice to support this emerging phenomenon., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

Healthcare personnel work in vulnerable conditions that can adversely impact physical and/or mental health. This paper aims to synthesize the state of knowledge on work-related illnesses, injuries, and risks experienced by Thai healthcare workers. We found that Thai healthcare personnel, like others worldwide, are at risk for injury related to needle sticks and sharp instruments; infectious diseases due to biological hazards exposure such as airborne pathogens and patient secretions; muscle pain due to workload and long duration of work; and psychological disorders related to stressful working conditions. Because detailed surveillance data are limited for the Thai healthcare workforce, we recommend that additional surveillance data on Thai healthcare workers' health outcomes be collected. Future research efforts should also focus on evidence-based interventions in order to develop methods to prevent and treat occupational health injuries and illnesses acquired in the workplace for Thai healthcare sector workers., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

Women with pathogenic BRCA genetic mutations face high risks for cancer development. Estimates vary among mutation carriers, with lifetime risks ranging from 41% to 90% for breast cancer and 8% to 62% for ovarian cancer. Cancer risk management options for BRCA mutation positive (BRCA+) women have life-altering implications. This qualitative, phenomenological study explored the experience of cancer risk management decision making for women who are unaffected carriers of a BRCA mutation (previvors). Fifteen previvors recruited from Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), an online informational and support group, were interviewed. Findings consisted of four major themes: the early previvor experience, intense emotional upheaval; the decisional journey, navigating a personal plan for survival; lack of knowledge and experience among health care providers; and support is essential. Findings highlight the different decisional perspectives of previvors based on age and individual factors and the need for increased competence among health care providers., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

Although HIV is considered a chronic pediatric illness that is on the wane in the United States, challenges remain for those affected. The purpose of this longitudinal qualitative study was to examine the phenomenon of raising an HIV-positive child in the United States from the parental perspective. This study incorporated a longitudinal, phenomenological approach. The purposive sample included parents and guardians from 10 families from the northeast region of the United States with children diagnosed with asymptomatic HIV infection at the study onset. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews with the parents over a 7-year period. The common themes identified included: balancing normalcy with uncertainty, facing the multifaceted dilemmas associated with disclosure, and addressing the evolving medication and treatment challenges. The findings of this study can enhance the understanding of nurses and other health care professionals to improve policies, standards of care, and interventions for children and families living with pediatric HIV infection.

In this article we describe the process of an interdisciplinary case study that examined the social contexts of occupational and general health disparities among health care workers in two sets of New England hospitals and nursing homes. A political economy of the work environment framework guided the study, which incorporated dimensions related to market dynamics, technology, and political and economic power. The purpose of this article is to relate the challenges encountered in occupational health care settings and how these could have impacted the study results. An innovative data collection matrix that guided small-group analysis provided a firm foundation from which to make design modifications to address these challenges. Implications for policy and research include the use of a political and economic framework from which to frame future studies, and the need to maintain rigor while allowing flexibility in design to adapt to challenges in the field.

Due to the complexity of human health, emphasis is increasingly being placed on the need for and conduct of multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary health research. Yet many academic and research organizations--and the discipline-specific associations and journals--may not yet be prepared to adopt changes necessary to optimally support interdisciplinary work. This article presents an ongoing interdisciplinary research project's efforts to investigate mechanisms and pathways that lead to occupational health disparities among healthcare workers. It describes the promises and pitfalls encountered during the research,and outlines effective strategies that emerged as a result. Lessons learned include: conflict resolution regarding theoretical and methodological differences; establishing a sense of intellectual ownership of the research, as well as guidelines for multiple authorship; and development and utilization of protocols, communication systems, and tools. This experience suggests a need for the establishment of supportive structures and processes to promote successful interdisciplinary research.